The Greencards bring bluegrass to the Big Room

Bluegrass band The Greencards will be performing at the Sierra Nevada Big Room on Sunday in support of their sixth album, "Sweetheart of the Sun."

The Greencards are from Austin, Tex., but founding members Kym Warner and Carol Young moved to the U.S. from Australia in order to have a better music scene to work in.

It turned out to be a smart decision as the band has gone on to tour with the likes of such legends as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, an opportunity that was "a learning experience" for the band.

"We're used to playing rooms that are much smaller than Chico," founding member and mandolin player Kym Warner explained. "So you're playing to this little crowd right in front of you. But when you play a stadium or big arena, you have to learn to project your show to the whole audience.

"It's great to play to a big crowd because there is a real energy and buzz to it," he continued. "But you can't beat the sound and the feel of playing at a venue like Sierra Nevada. That's always going to be a better gig."

The Greencards have sold out their three previous shows at the Big Room and consider it "one of the best rooms in the whole country."

"The crowds are so amazing and really energetic," Warner said. "And it is a great room, sound-wise, feel-wise and it is a really good size."

Whereas previous albums were recorded with the aim of a "more live feel," "Sweetheart of the Sun" is The Greencards' first time writing a concept album that focuses on the themes of water and motion.

"We want it to be a journey from the start to end of the record," Warner said. "And the story flows through that lyrically and melodically. You're going to get the best experience as a listener by listening to it all the way through. It was written, designed and recorded with that intent."

One of the main reasons the band decided to write the album as a themed record was that they have been together for 12 years now and have grown as a band.

"We're much more comfortable with who we are as a band than when we did our first record," Warner said. "Now we know musically what we like and what we're going for a lot better."

The Greencards play 7:30 p.m. Sunday at The Sierra Nevada Big Room. Tickets are $20.